The Bear Den

Episode 11 – Founder Tales: Taking over from Vince (Part 2)
ABA Co-Founder Karen Hauserman continues her story detailing Vince’s declining health and her first meeting with Bill and Klari Lea, and how the three of them went on to form the ABA. Karen also reflects on bears she met over the years, her families reaction to her working with them and much more.

The Bear Den Artwork is by Asha Kaur

Contact: [email protected]
Find out more: American Bear Association
Facebook– Instagram: @vinceshutewildlife

Music from #Uppbeat
https://uppbeat.io/t/reakt-music/deep-stone
License code: 9EMYP4VNY9TAX7A2

Episode 10 – Founder Tales: Meeting Vince (Part 1)
Philip is joined by ABA Co-Founder Karen Hauserman in the first of a two-parter! They chat about how the property was in the “before times”, before the sanctuary was founded. Karen details how she came to the Northwoods and her first meeting with Vince in the early 1990s. We also find out about Mexican black bears in the Sub Species Spotlight!

The Founder Tales series documents the history of the ABA and describes times before the sanctuary was set up. It discusses practices that the ABA do not endorse and... Read more

Episode 9 – Out on a Limb
In 2016, Philip pulled a book off the shelf entitled “Out on a Limb” by Benjamin Kilham. Benjamin Kilham has rehabilitated hundreds of black bears cubs in New Hampshire. Walking with them in the forest has helped him detail bear communications, vocalisations, body language and other behaviours, including family dynamics, collaboration and the social order of bears. Philip couldn’t help but notice similarities to the Vince Shute Wildlife Sanctuary. Join us as he talks about Ben Kilham’s work, ideas and how these can apply to the sanctuary. We also hear from volunteer... Read more

Episode 8 – Myths & Misconceptions
There are many myths and misconceptions about the North American black bear. Join Philip as he reviews the myths and counter these with the facts. This episode dives into folklore, misunderstood behavior, and scientific truths, all in an effort to separate fact from fiction including topics on hibernation, menstruation misconception and how removing a bear, but not an attractant, doesn’t solve the problem. Plus, we have a new feature, the Sub Species Spotlight and we hear from former staff member, Melia Marquez about a bear she connected with.

Contact: [email protected]
... Read more

Episode 7 – ABA President Interview w/Steph Horner
During a visit to the sanctuary in summer 2024 Philip sat down for a chat with ABA President, Steph Horner. We discussed how she gained her love of animals, the challenges of running a non-profit, bears she has connected with over the years and some of the remarkable bear behaviour’s we see at the sanctuary – and MUCH MORE.

Contact: [email protected]
Find out more: American Bear Association
Facebook– Instagram: @vinceshutewildlife

The Bear Den Artwork is by Asha Kaur

Music from #Uppbeat
https://uppbeat.io/t/reakt-music/deep-stone
... Read more

Episode 6 – Bear Necessities
Ever wondered what its like to volunteer at the sanctuary? Join Philip as he takes us through what has changed at the sanctuary over the last ten years and why volunteering at the sanctuary is an experience unlike many others. Listeners will enjoy insights on volunteering and learn about the sanctuary’s evolving operations, from new facilities for volunteers to improved educational tools for the public. Volunteers come from all over, united by a love for wildlife and a willingness to adapt to challenges— including the infamous “poop wars!”  We also find time to... Read more

Episode 5 – Bear Safety
What are you supposed to do when you’re hiking out in bear country? Philip draws upon his own experiences hiking in Canada, before we welcome wildlife biologist, Amber Kornak, into the Bear Den. Having volunteered at the sanctuary many years ago, Amber has gone on to work in the animal field for the last decade, and she recounts the time that she was attacked by a grizzly bear and how bear spray saved her life.  

Contact: [email protected]
Find out more: American Bear Association
Facebook– Instagram: @vinceshutewildlife

The... Read more

Episode 4 – Radio Collared bears
There have been several bears with radio collars that have passed through the sanctuary over the years. In 2016 the ABA, in partnership with the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) began its own radio collar programme and 5 bears in total were radio collared over a multi-year period, contributing data to conservation efforts. We talk about the bears involved including Uno, Ginger, Darla, Hot Shot, Sunny and Persephone and review what data was gathered. Each bear has a unique story and ABA President, Steph Horner, joins us to recount the time she joined... Read more

Episode 3 – Humans and Bears
Before Vince Shute passed away, the American Bear Association was formed in 1995. Its three founders were Karen Hauserman, Bill Lea and Klari Lea. It wasn’t an easy start for them and they had to establish rules at the sanctuary and wrestle with the question of feeding bears. Its not only human characters that we deal with in this episode as we shine a spotlight on some of the well-known bears that have visited the sanctuary over the years, from Halo “the white bear”, Biscuit, Peanut and Schwinn, the three-legged bear that captured... Read more

Episode 2 – The Bear Man
Who was Vince Shute, the man who started it all? We journey back over 100 years to learn about his humble beginnings, from having to leave school at a young age to support his family, and giving up his dreams of becoming a prize fighter, to owning a successful logging company in the North Woods of Minnesota. Bears visited his property and like many Vince used to shoot them, until he realised, “they’re not mean, they’re just hungry,” which began a lifelong commitment to bears that he came to see as family. This... Read more